In:
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health), Vol. 52, No. 12 ( 2020-12), p. 2628-2636
Abstract:
Current occupational heat stress guidelines rely on time-weighted averaging to quantify the metabolic demands of variable-intensity work. However, variable-intensity work may be associated with impairments in whole-body total heat loss (dry + evaporative heat loss), especially in older workers, which exacerbate heat strain relative to constant-intensity work eliciting the same time-weighted average metabolic rate. We, therefore, used direct calorimetry to evaluate whether variable-intensity work would cause decrements in the average rate of whole-body total heat loss that augment body heat storage and core temperature compared with constant-intensity work in young and older men. Methods Eight young (19–31 yr) and eight older (54–65 yr) men completed four trials involving 90 min of work (cycling) eliciting an average metabolic heat production of ~200 W·m −2 in dry-heat (40°C, 20% relative humidity). One trial involved constant-intensity work (CON), whereas the others involved 10-min cycles of variable-intensity work: 5-min low-intensity and 5-min high-intensity (VAR 5:5), 6-min low-intensity and 4-min very high-intensity (VAR 6:4), and 7-min low- and 3-min very, very high-intensity (VAR 7:3). Metabolic heat production, total heat loss, body heat storage (heat production minus total heat loss), and core (rectal) temperature were measured throughout. Results When averaged over each 90-min work period, metabolic heat production, total heat loss, and heat storage were similar between groups and conditions (all P ≥ 0.152). Peak core temperature (average of final 10 min) was also similar between groups and conditions (both P ≥ 0.111). CONCLUSIONS Whole-body total heat loss, heat storage, and core temperature were not significantly influenced by the partitioning of work intensity in young or older men, indicating that time-weighted averaging appears to be appropriate for quantifying the metabolic demands of variable-intensity work to assess occupational heat stress.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1530-0315
,
0195-9131
DOI:
10.1249/MSS.0000000000002410
Language:
English
Publisher:
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Publication Date:
2020
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2031167-9
SSG:
31
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